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The totals at the grocery store each week seem to be higher than the last week. The problem is that the balance in the checkbook isn't growing as much to accommodate this. Using coupons is a way to stretch your grocery budget. Here's a course in couponing to get you started on the road to savings.
Next to a mortgage/housing payment, grocery expenses are the biggest chunk out of your monthly budget. This is an area of the budget that you have the most control over, and ability to make changes in.
Coupons - Where to find them
Coupons can be found in many places. Sunday supplements, magazines, the mail, the Internet, at the grocery store, and coupons exchange groups are some of the places you can look. What you don't use can be shared or exchanged with others to further help your bottom line.
--If there are products you are brand loyal (will only buy a particular brand) to go to their web site or call the toll-free phone number listed on the package, and ask to be placed on their mailing list. Tell them that you are loyal to that brand and would like some coupons mailed to your home. They may even send you coupons for free product as a 'thank you'.
--If the grocery store you shop at has a flyer in the newspaper or that they mail out, ask at the service desk for extra copies on weeks when there are coupons you use.
--Start your own coupon exchange where you share the coupons you don't need/want with others and pick up ones that you do. Everyone benefits from this, and when combined with an afternoon or evening out it gives you a much-needed burst of relaxation. Remember the poker scene from the Michael Keaton/Terri Gar movie "Mr. Mom"?
--Stores have coupon caddies on the shelves next to some products. Check as you are doing your shopping. If you haven't noticed them before, bring along a child next time; they always find them!
Storing coupons
Now, if you've listened to what has been said here you will have a pile of coupons. It's time to create a system for storage and classification that works for you.
In the very flyers you cut your coupons from they advertise coupon caddies for sale for a small fee. Those are nice, but small and will not hold as many coupons as you may have. Placing envelopes in a shoebox is another way to store them. Use one envelope for each category, marking the category on the outside of the envelope.
However you go about it you will need some sort of sturdy container, preferably waterproof and with a lid, and some form of dividers to separate the coupons into different categories. The categories can be by type of food, aisle at the store, or whatever way best suits your individual needs. While you are adding new ones glance through the old ones and discard ones that have expired.
Shopping with coupons
Some stores double the value of coupons all the time, or on certain days. Be sure to check with your store to see what their policies are. They may even take expired coupons up to a certain time past. It never hurts to ask.
Writing the grocery list on an envelope and slipping the coupons you will need at checkout into the envelope after placing the item into your cart will make check out run fast and smooth, and will avoid annoying the person in line behind you. If you hand the coupons to the cashier before she starts ringing up you can watch as the items go through and point out if there are any coupons she needs to mark the price on.
If you combine a coupon with a sale you will increase savings. Bring along a calculator to check prices per unit, and see which size to buy to get the most value.
Don't cut coupons for items you don't purchase don't buy an item just because it's a good deal with the coupon. An exception for this rule would be if you had the extra money to spend and donated these items to a shelter or other organization that needs them. You could even donate the coupons you won't be using along with the items.
When you first start out couponing, it may take a bit of time to get things organized and get into a routine that works for you. Once you discover your system you will spend considerably less time each week and save as much as 30% (or more) on your grocery budget each month.
Following these tips will help you better your bottom line at the grocery store. Your grocery bill is one of the items on your budget you can play around with and make changes to. The money you save using coupons and combining them with your stores sales will be as much or as little as the effort you put into it. You can start out small and work you way up to pro status, whatever works best for you.
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